Sacha Kljestan Q&A: “I’m just trying to work as hard as I can and stay humble.”

MNTNov 4, 2013

ussoccer.com: You’re in Paris getting ready for Anderlecht’s UEFA Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain. Given your spot in the group table, is this a
“must-win” at this point
?
Sacha Kljestan: “We have started the Champions League very poorly. We’ve definitely underachieved according to our standards. We have three games left, and we need to
take points hopefully in all of them.

“Obviously playing PSG in Paris is a very difficult game. Hopefully we can get out of here with something. That would be ideal. It’s going to be a very
tough game. We know they’re a team full of stars and they’ve proven already in the Champions League this year that they’re one of the top teams in the
tournament.”

ussoccer.com: Is the opportunity to play in games like this, to play against teams like PSG, one of the reasons for making the move to play in Europe in the first
place
?
SK: “One of the reasons that I was very excited and happy to come to Anderlecht was the chance to play in Champions League. These kinds of experiences you
can’t buy; you can’t just get these anywhere. These are huge games that you play in and especially playing against a team like PSG where the entire team is
international players who start for their international team and who play for teams that maybe we’ll see in Brazil. It’s important playing against these
guys and playing at a high level to gain that experience. Hopefully I continue to get better and improve myself while playing against the best in the
world.”

ussoccer.com: In the Belgian Jupiler League now you have three goals in three games and seven in league play so far. That’s more than you’ve ever scored in your
career in one season and it’s only three months into the season. What would you say has contributed to your success on the scoring front
?
SK: “It’s hard to explain. Four of the seven goals have come off set pieces. I’ve been putting myself in good positions to score on set pieces. The others
have come from the run of play. I’ve just been putting myself in a good spot and really taking my chances.

“It’s not like I’ve had a ton of opportunities to score this season. I’ve really had maybe 10 and scored on seven of them. It’s just one of those things
that happen in soccer. Sometimes when you get in the zone and you get a little bit of luck here and there, and you have some experience to go along with
it, things just kind of fall into place. Right now, I have the hot hand and I hope it continues.”

ussoccer.com: Anderlecht is in fourth place right now but only four points off the pace. This early in the season, you’re typically either at the front or near to
it. Are you at where you want to be
?
SK: “No, we’re chasing right now. It’s not where we want to be. We have to play the hand that we’ve been dealt. This season we sold a lot of our older,
experienced players and we have a very young team, so it’s a bit of a rebuilding year.

“However, I still believe with the way the league works in Belgium – we end up with a 10-game playoff at the end of the year, basically exactly like the
Hex – the most important thing is that you get into the playoffs in a good position and then anything can happen. So, even though it’s a rebuilding year
here for us, I still think that we can challenge for the title.”

ussoccer.com: With it being a rebuilding year with so many veteran players gone and so many younger players in, you’re one of the veteran players they chose to
keep. What does that say to you, and have you taken on more of a leadership role
?
SK: “I have taken more of a leadership role this season. I think I’m fifth-oldest on the team now and I’ve started every game that I’ve been healthy for this
season and been ready for. With all these young guys, you give advice when they need it. Now we had a difficult period where we lost a few games and you
have to rely on your experienced players, so trying to be a leader on and off the field will help the team and improve my game. It’s a good challenge early
in the season. I’m happy with the way things have gone recently and I hope they continue to get better.”

ussoccer.com: Being in a leadership position is also a growth opportunity for a player. Would you say you have grown in this new role
?
SK: “Yes, for sure. You have to have patience. You have to rely on your experience. I’ve played in big games now. I’ve played quite a few games for the
National Team. So, I try to help the young guys as much as I can, but also you learn about yourself, as well. I’ve never been a huge vocal leader, so I try
to lead with my mentality, the way I go about things every day in training and the way I play in the games. Being a leader comes in more ways than just
talking.”

ussoccer.com: As we add up the pieces that we’ve talked about and you look toward the National Team and particularly the opportunity to make the roster for Brazil
next summer, how do these experiences with leadership, playing in big games, and scoring a lot of goals help you position yourself as the decisions get
made
?
SK: “I think every little thing you do is important. Playing in Champions league is important, being a leader on your team is important, scoring goals and
helping your team win games is important also. I’m just trying to do everything in my power to put myself in a good position to be one of the guys that
Jurgen [Klinsmann] counts on when it comes to Brazil. There’s no perfect formula for anything, but just trying to work as hard as I can, stay humble, keep
working and hope that this season ends on a high note and we’re all in Brazil together really challenging for something.”

ussoccer.com: Jurgen has talked about the qualities you bring to the National Team and how in some ways it’s circumstance that has dictated the minutes that you
have gotten with the team. How have you kept your perspective in those times
?
SK: “At the beginning it was very difficult for me. I was very frustrated. We’ve come to see that Michael [Bradley] and Jermaine [Jones] are the two center
midfielders on the team. When they’re healthy, those are the two guys. My position now is to battle the best I can to become that third guy. I think
recently in the games I have played I’ve done well. When I came on against Bosnia and helped the team to a victory in the end, and the same against Jamaica
when I came on. So, maybe my impact is in that substitute role that can help the team in the middle of the field get the game going and things like that.

“I had a good talk with Jurgen when we were in Kansas City. I feel positive about my performances lately and I hope to continue getting more chances before
the World Cup to prove that I’m valuable to the team.”

ussoccer.com: Were there things he told you that you could do
?
SK: “No, nothing specific. He told me that I’m doing all the right things. I came to Europe to challenge myself and became a leader on my team. I play every
game and obviously I’m getting good experiences in Champions League. I think he’s pleased with what I’m doing with my club career right now.”

ussoccer.com: There are only three international fixture dates between now and when the World Cup training camp starts next May. How important are the friendlies
against Scotland and Austria in that light
?
SK: “It’s very important. Like you said, there’s only a few fixture dates left, so not a lot of games coming up before the World Cup. Every game is an
opportunity, every international date is a chance to prove to Jurgen, the staff and the team that you belong and you can make a difference. So, hopefully
I’m there with the guys. Obviously playing against two very good European teams in Europe is always a challenge and hopefully we get a good result.”

ussoccer.com: With where you’re at right now with the performances this year, with the progress you’re making with the National Team, are these some of the best
times you’ve had in your career
?
SK: “Yes, in the past few months, it’s been pretty good. Obviously winning the championships with Anderlecht back-to-back were amazing feats and I felt good
being a big part of that, but on a personal level, I think my last few games with the National Team have been a good streak of games. It’s been a good few
months with the National Team, so that feels good. I hope that continues and I hope I continue this good run of form with Anderlecht all season long
leading up to the summer.”

ussoccer.com: Given your particular history as it relates to mustaches, how excited are you and your fans about it being “Movember”
?
SK: “I saw somebody tweet at me a while ago saying ‘It’s Movember year-round for Sacha,” which is pretty much true. It makes no difference to me, but maybe
when National Team games come up soon, you’ll see a nice mustache on me again.”